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Chapter 3
THE POLICE MISSION: GETTING THE JOB DONE
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Chapter 3 Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, students will know
• What should drive an organization
• How goals differ from objectives and work plans and from policies and procedures
• What the relationship between Collin’s flywheel challenge and the doom loop is
• What typical levels of management exist in law enforcement
• What management tools help coordination
Chapter 3 Outline
Introduction
The Law Enforcement Mission
An Organization’s Guiding Philosophy and Values
Goals, Objectives, Work Plans and Policies and Procedures
Goals
Objectives
Work Plans
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Interfacers
Interactors
On Becoming an Executive Manager
Politics
Chapter 3 Summary
A mission statement is a written explanation of why an organization exists and is the
driving force for that organization, providing a focus for its energy and resources. Goals
are broad, general, desired outcomes. Objectives are specific, measurable ways to
accomplish the goals. Work plans are the precise activities that contribute to
accomplishing objectives. Policies and procedures specify how the activities are to be
The transition to first-line supervisor is one of the most difficult in law enforcement, for
this is when new supervisors begin to make decisions that separate them from their fellow
officers.
Law enforcement executives are planners, facilitators, interfacers and interactors. They
are responsible for both tactical and strategic planning. Tactical planning is short-term
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Chapter 3 Key Terms
doom loop characterized by incessant restructuring, following fads, management by
cheerleading without careful thought, and especially inconsistency, constantly
running after new ideas.
facilitators assist others in performing their duties to meet mutual goals and
objectives.
holistic management/leadership recognizes that both management and leadership
skills are required for an agency to accomplish its mission and that all those within
the organization are complete individuals who have answered a special calling and
are part of the team.
mission the reason an organization exists.
mission statement a written explanation of why an organization exists and the
driving force for that organization, providing a focus for its energy and resources.
objectives specific, measurable ways to accomplish goals; more specific than goals
and usually have a timeline.
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unified command allows agencies with different legal, geographic and functional
authorities and responsibilities to work together effectively without affecting
individual agency authority, responsibility or accountability.
Classroom Discussion Questions
1. Are mission statements really vital or are they “window dressing?”
2. Is it possible for all members of a police department to hold and support the same
values?
3. How many goals are realistic for a department to have?
4. How many objectives do you believe are usually necessary to accomplish a goal?
Student Activities
1. Review your local department’s mission statement. Is it a solid mission statement
with obtainable and clear goals? If not, rewrite the statement adding or changing
these goals and objectives.
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Challenge Three
The Greenfield Police Department’s new mission statement emphasizes a community
policing philosophy. The new chief has increased the authority and the responsibility of
sergeants to identify and solve problems affecting the quality of life in Greenfield. You
are the evening shift supervisor and have learned that the residents of the Senior Citizens
Center are reluctant to venture out after dark. The center is located in a low-crime
You gather the officers on your shift to discuss the situation. They tell you there is no
crime problem in the area of the center. The crime statistics support the officers. There
has been one car window broken in the center’s parking lot during the last year, and a few
Challenge Three Questions and Suggested Answers
1. Is there a crime problem at the Senior Citizens’ Center?
There may not be a traditional crime problem, but there is a fear of crime problem
2. Is fear reduction a police problem?
Yes. The concept of community policing expands the police role to include fear
3. What are some possible causes of fear of crime at the center?
A misperception by the residents concerning the amount of crime in their community.
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4. What is missing in the current community-police relationship between the Greenfield
Police department and the senior citizens?
Communication and cooperation. The police officers are still in crime fighter mode.
5. How might the department’s mission statement be changed—or should it?
The department’s mission statement should stay the same. You cannot change your